Rare glossy 8 x 10 Humble Pie 1972 A&M Records publicity photograph, signed in felt tip by Steve Marriott, Dave 'Clem' Clempson, Greg Ridley, and Jerry Shirley. In very good to fine condition, with scattered light staining, and surface impressions and light brushing. A much sought-after photo of this legendary and highly influential rock band, highlighted by the scarce presence of Steve Marriott, who tragically passed away at the age of 44.
This is the first vintage completely signed Humble Pie photograph that we’ve ever seen and what makes it even more special is that it adorned the walls of the legendary Manny’s Music Store on 48th Street in New York City. Signed photos from Manny’s are very rare and collectible and much sought after.
Humble Pie’s live performances led by Marriott, who was not only one the best white rhythm & blues singers to grace the stage, but, at only 5’ 4”, was a powerhouse of a showman, who had total command of the audiences that he lived to perform for.
Steve Marriott was a founding member of the Small Faces, before forming Humble Pie in 1969. He was Jimmy Page’s first choice as singer for Led Zeppelin, until Steve’s manager, the infamous Don Arden, sent a brief but effective message to Page: ‘How would you like to play in a band with broken fingers.’ As such, Page looked elsewhere for a singer. Marriott was Keith Richards’ first choice to replace Mick Taylor in the Rolling Stones in 1975, however, Mick Jagger apparently did not like Marriott upstaging him during the audition, even though he apparently played great and worked well with Richards.
In a 1977 interview in Melody Maker Magazine Robert Plant said of Marriott: ‘I could never be compared with Steve Marriott because he's too good! He's got the best white voice, for sheer bravado and balls. He is the master of white, contemporary blues.’
When asked about Marriott, David Bowie was quoted as saying he ‘was the best vocalist that this country (Great Britain) has ever produced.’
Paul Rodgers, in an interview in 2014: ‘I was rooting around in my cupboard the other day, actually, just yesterday, and I found a bunch of Steve Marriott live stuff and I put it on and MY GOD, that guy was unbelievable!’
Jack White: ‘Steve Marriott was the greatest white soul singer to come out of the UK - and still is. No one has ever touched his unique lung bursting vocals. Set the high mark, he did. Unsurpassable. The rest of us can only try.’
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